An original musical production in South Mississippi

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) - "A Place By The River" continues its run at Gulfport Little Theatre this weekend. It's an original musical written by Gulfport residents Ronny Broussard and Bill Jones, and has been many years in the making.

"It's taken altogether fourteen years," Broussard said. "There were actually 23 songs originally, and we edited it down to 18. The entire thing is original, script and music, completely."

Broussard and Jones wrote the script. Broussard wrote all of the music and is also directing the show. He said seeing it come to life on stage is something they have dreamed about for a long time.

"I'm so fortunate that these people in the play are bringing my story to life and it's very emotional to me to see what I've poured onto paper finally on stage."

Much of what he has poured onto the page is music, and he didn't limit it to one style.

Broussard said the story shares an important message about love and family.

"The actual point of the story is that it doesn't matter if family is blood or not. Family is the group of people you hold onto your whole life. They don't have to be related to still have a strong family bond."

What are his future hopes for the show?

"'A Place By The River: The Movie' wouldn't hurt my feelings," Broussard said with a smile.

"A Place By The River" runs through this Sunday at Gulfport Little Theatre.